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According to European meteorological agencies, after more than a week of temperatures 10-15 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average, many Western and Central European countries are about to enter the first heatwave of the season with a very rapid increase in temperature.
The cause of the previous unusual cold spell was identified as a large high-pressure area forming over the North Atlantic combined with a slow-moving low-pressure area in southern Scandinavia, drawing cold Arctic air masses deep into Europe.
The prolonged cold spell in May significantly impacted agricultural activities in many countries. In France, vineyard owners had to keep fires burning all night to protect their vines from frost. Such widespread and prolonged cold spells are becoming increasingly rare as Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world due to climate change.
Cold air combined with intense sunshine in May also exacerbated extreme weather conditions. From May 11-16, approximately 750,000 lightning strikes were recorded across Europe and surrounding areas.
The Serbian meteorological agency issued a red alert due to strong winds, heavy rain, and hail in many areas. However, the weather pattern is now beginning to change as the low-pressure system moves towards northwestern Europe, weakening the cold winds from the north.
Experts predict that from the end of this week, a large high-pressure system will form over Western Europe, bringing a mass of hot air from North Africa northward. By May 22nd, temperatures in France and the UK could rise by up to 15 degrees Celsius compared to the previous week.
In Spain and Portugal, temperatures are forecast to reach 35-39 degrees Celsius. Notably, nighttime temperatures in some areas are even higher than daytime temperatures recorded last week.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) warned on May 20 that air conditioning could become a necessity in many parts of the country in the coming decades, as heatwaves become increasingly severe due to climate change.
According to a newly published report, summer temperatures in the UK could reach 40°C, and this phenomenon is likely to become more frequent within the next 35 years. Heatwaves are considered a major public health risk due to increased mortality rates and significant strain on the healthcare system. Therefore, the UK Climate Change Commission (CCC) recommends that the government implement adaptation measures soon, including setting maximum temperature limits in workplaces and equipping hospitals and nursing homes with cooling systems by 2035, and schools by 2050.
The CCC also stated that without appropriate countermeasures, approximately 92% of homes in England will face the risk of overheating by 2050. Besides heatwaves, other extreme weather events such as droughts, water shortages, and floods are predicted to occur more frequently. It is forecast that peak river flow in England could increase by up to 45%, while water shortages by the middle of this century could reach 5 billion liters per day.
Source: https://vtv.vn/chau-au-chuan-bi-don-dot-nang-nong-manh-100260521170838808.htm
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